Health Paradoxes

1. Edward
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am

   The only reason that these are considered paradoxical is because nutritionists believe diet causes these diseases. Wouldn’t it be more accurate to claim that this information refutes that belief?

2. MarcBee
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:44 am

   I really think it comes down to the chemicals in the food and the preservatives and additives. Almost anything you buy at the store here in Canada can be cooked in 10 min or less. People in other countries other than North America probably sit down to more home made meals.

3. LV
   November 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

   Genetics ?

4. Sofar
   November 25th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

   Maybe we don’t actually know anything.

5. Ali S.
   November 25th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

   What about environmental factors? Such as the amount of pollution and chemicals floating about that can affect the chances and types of diseases?

6. DOJ
   November 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

   there sure are a lot of variables in human health

   interesting article

7. MadMolecule
   November 25th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

   @Edward: I’d say “refutes” is too strong a word, as there are still lots of places on Earth where diet and health ARE linked in the way current theories would predict.

   As DOJ points out, what this highlights is that lots of factors affect health, including diet, genetics, environment, exercise, hygiene, and invisible death rays from space, for all I know.

8. Rocky Rook
   November 25th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

   I just read the French one … but it makes perfect sense. America’s eating habits (in general) are atrocious.

9. vero4902
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

   Hmm… not sure what to think. Paradoxes indeed!

10. Evilbeagle
    November 26th, 2008 at 4:28 am

    This is why I feel that moderation is important in everything we do.

11. Scribe
    November 26th, 2008 at 5:58 am

    Well, I’m from France and I’d like to add some elements. For sure, what is said concerning our habits, our “food culture” is true. But we also have to face the other reality, which is less idyllic : French do snack, French don’t cook a lovely and wonderful meal every day, many people eat sandwiches and sodas for lunch when they don’t have time for something else, and more and more often eat ready-cooked dishes. We copyied American way-of-life on cooking too.

    This sentence for example is far to be true : “If they do snack, the French often choose fresh fruits between meals.” If you stop someone in the street, asking him to choose between an apple and a chocolate bar, I believe at least 80% will take the chocolate bar. It reminds me that our government had a wonderful idea a few years ago : in order to fight obesity, the decision was taken too replace snacks in vending machines by apples in schools. This was a triumph. Huge success. Most of those poor apples are still in the machines.

12. Evilbeagle
    November 26th, 2008 at 7:46 am

    @Scribe

    Correct me if I am wrong on this one, though. I spend a good few weeks out of the year in France racing in Abbeville. While I never noticed a huge difference in eating habits where junk food is concerned, and there are certainly obese people to be seen in France, I have also found that fresh food is more readily available and portions in restaurants are more controlled. Maybe this has something to do with the paradox?

13. Scribe
    November 27th, 2008 at 8:40 am

    Well, first of all I want to say that even if I’m french, I will not pretend to know all eating habits, there are variations throughout France, and also differences between the type of restaurant you choose. I believe that restaurants proposing quite “sophisticated food” are focusing their attention on food quality and freshness, while quantity is less important (the best is of course is to eat well and enough). The article says French portion sizes are notably smaller than American portions, that is certainly true. It always depends who you are comparing to: I don’t think we have smaller portions than Italian for example.
    But you’re right, compared to England, from the little experience I have and without promoting stereotypes, France must have a better food, for some part because we are used to eat various types of food. For example, English people don’t eat seafood a lot, while we often do so in France.
    France is proud of this cooking tradition, and it’s true that many restaurants are proposing delicious meals with a great variety of products. But on the other hand we can’t either say we eat marvelous meals every day. If the question is to know if, generally speaking, we eat better, fresher food than other countries, the answer is yes, but keep in mind we also have less respectable habits. Nothing is all black or white.

14. Evilbeagle
    November 27th, 2008 at 9:52 am

    @Scribe

    Thanks for the info and insight. I can’t say we go to overly sophisticated restaurants while in France (or England, for that matter)but you are absolutely right. Nothing against UK food, because I love it too, but it doesn’t touch some of what you can get in France. Portion sizes may be smaller than in the UK, but it hardly matters because it’s always good and just the right amount.

    I think the freshness is the key, honestly. Going to a farmer’s market, anywhere you are, is going to turn out higher quality food regardless.

15. Acai
    December 20th, 2008 at 7:47 am

    The only reason that these are considered paradoxical is because nutritionists believe diet causes these diseases.

16. Acai
    December 20th, 2008 at 7:52 am

    this is really nice blog

17. kosiosl
    February 4th, 2009 at 7:49 am

    Today Acai Berry

18. resveratrol
    April 4th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    Thanks for the info and insight. I can’t say we go to overly sophisticated restaurants while in France (or England, for that matter)but you are absolutely right

19. easy diets
    April 6th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    lots of factors affect health, including diet, genetics, environment, exercise, hygiene

20. Reservatrol
    April 18th, 2009 at 4:52 am

    With all the red wine I’ve drunk in my lifetime, I will most likely live to be 300.

21. wedding chocolates
    April 28th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    I wonder if there is such a thing as chocolates paradox as well - I wish:)

22. Acai
    May 17th, 2009 at 5:38 am

    I love it too, but it doesn’t touch some of what you can get in France. Portion sizes may be smaller than in the UK, but it hardly matters because it’s always good and just the right amount.

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